Reader Response - Floor Lights

In the article “Floor lights help 'smartphone zombies' keep eye on the road”, Tan (2017) reports that the Land Transport Authority is experimenting on a new road-crossing feature that utilizes LED strips to “mimic sequence of the traditional Walking and Standing Man signals at pedestrian crossings” (Tan, 2017). Menon (2017), senior research fellow of Nanyang technological University, states that the installation of such floor lights will enhance safety of those who are constantly looking at their smartphones as they are unaware of the road condition. While I feel that this is a good initiative, I am not convinced that the experimentation will be successful and should it be implemented in the future, it will not be sufficient in tackling the ‘smartphone zombies’ problem.

When asked if they manage to spot the LED strips in action many pedestrians failed to notice it, with two of them feels that the strips are unnoticeable under bright sunlight (Chua, 2017). Among those who sees it, not all of them understand its operation and intended use. One of them thought that the strips are festive decorations (Chua, 2017), not knowing that it is a safety feature. From this interview, I feel that there is insufficient awareness about the LED strips among pedestrians. Hence, public awareness about the strips should be raised to allow this experiment to be effective and eventually, a successful implementation.

Public awareness can be raised by having a set of advertisement featuring the strips with emphasis on explaining its operation and purpose. It can consist of a commercial which can be broadcasted across the country and uploaded on social media and posters which can be featured at public amenities such as bus interchanges and train stations. From there, more people will be aware of the strips and understand it. Eventually, the public's awareness about the strips will be raised.

If the strips will to be implemented in the future, it will not be sufficient to tackle our ‘smartphone zombies’. Besides having the strips, efforts in educating road safety should be increased. This can be done by increasing the frequency or duration of our road safety related roadshows. One of such roadshows is the Singapore Road Safety Month (SRSM), which is a three-day event jointly organized by the Traffic Police (TP) and Singapore Road Safety Council (2017) which promotes road safety to road users.

Statistics from TP Straits Times Graphics shown that number of pedestrians involved in accidents are on the rise from 896 in 2014 to 1030 in 2016 (Tan, 2017). From here, this can be associated to the lack of effort in educating road safety. This is evident from the duration of SRSM. Although it is named as a “Month”, the roadshow itself only lasts for three days. Hence, a full month should be dedicated to this roadshow by having it on rotation to different heartland areas so that people from all over the country can benefit from it. By doing that, the organizers will be able to reach out to more people and educate them about road safety.

With heightened awareness about the LED strips and its information, I believe that its experimentation and eventual implementation will be successful. Coupled with the increased efforts on educating road safety, we will be sufficient to tackle the “smartphone zombies” within our country.

Reference

Chua, X. (2017, May 09). New flashing LED strips for pedestrians at 2 traffic-light crossings. Retrieved September 27, 2017, from http://www.todayonline.com/singapore/new-flashing-led-strips-pedestrians-2-traffic-light-crossings

News Release - Singapore Road Safety Month 2017. (2017, May 26). Retrieved September 28, 2017, from https://www.police.gov.sg/news-and-publications/media-releases/20170526_others_singapore_road_safety_month_2017

Tan, C. (2017, May 09). Floor lights help 'smartphone zombies' keep eye on the road. Retrieved September 27, 2017, from http://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/transport/floor-lights-help-smartphone-zombies-keep-eye-on-the-road